Fire protection system

ABSTRACT

Covers mechanism for releasing the pressurized fluid contents of a container, the mechanism employing a collapsible split bushing and a removable ring or other retainer for holding the members of the bushing together. The container is closed by means of a plug which is supported by the split bushing and held in place to seal the plug to the container. A solenoid valve may be coupled by its piston structure to the ring so that, in response to current supplied to the solenoid valve, the retaining ring will be displaced to collapse or disengage the split bushing and allow the plug to be separated from the container under the influence of the fluid pressure, thereby to discharge the fluid within the container.

O United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,750,755 Kramer et al. 45 A 7, 1973 1 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM 3,130,790 4/1964 Hodgman, Jr. 169/40 [75] Inventors: Jack M. Kramer, Los Angeles;

Abdul Dmbkhan, El Monte; Primary Examlrter-M. Hens0n Wood, Jr. Carlo pavone Los Angeles, a of Assistant Examiner-Michael Mar Calif. Att0rney1-larold L. Jackson, Stanley R. Jones et a1. 1

[73] Asslgnee: gzgklndustnes, Inc., Monrovia, ABSTRACT [22] Filed: July 27 1971 Covers mechanism for releasing the pressurized flu1d contents of a container, the mechanism employing a [211 App]. No.: 166,529 collapsible split bushing and a removable ring or other retainer for holding the members of the bushing together. The container is closed by means of a plug [52] 11.8. CI. 169/26, 169/42 which is supported y the split bushing and held in [51] Int. Cl. A62c 35/12 place to seal the plug to the container. A solenoid valve {58] Field of Search 169/2, 26, 31 R, b l d b h 9/31 38 39 40 42 may e coup e y its piston structure to t e ring so that, m response to current supplied to the solenoid valve, the retaining ring will be displaced to collapse or [56] References cued disengage the split bushing and allow the plug to be UNlTED STATES PATENTS separated from the container under the influence of the 2,779,421 1/1957 Rust 169/26 X fluid pressure, thereby to discharge the fluid within the 3,464,497 9/1969 Globerman et al. 169/31 R X containen 2,730,179 1/1956 Ferguson 169/26 X 2,674,324 4/1954 Mascarini 169/26 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Pmmznm 1w SHEU 1 0F 2 FIG.2

FIG.

FIG.3

m s EHRR N m O N V E T A V PSK B MA ATTORNEY minnow: Hm 3.150.755

' sum 2 or 2 F l G .4 CARLO PAVONE ABDUL N.S|TABKHAN J. M. KRAMER I N VEN TORS.

ATTORNEY FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM This invention relatesgenerally to fluid discharge apparatus and, more especially, todischarge valves suitable for discharging fluids whether gaseous or liquid. This invention isparticularly applicable to and suitable for discharge valves for fire extinguishing equipments employing containers filled with pressurized fluids.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, quick acting discharge valve which is suitable for discharging pressurized fluid whether liquid or gaseous from acontainer and into a fire zone or an enclosure or any form of receptacle where a fire may have occurred or may be expected to occur.

This invention pertains especially to a container 'of pressurized fluids in which a plug or other means is employed to maintain such container closed and also having mechanism to control the opening of the container by structure requiring a substantially smaller force to open the container than the force required to hold or maintain the container closed.

This invention will be better and more clearly understood from the more detailed description and explanation hereinafter following when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a container for pressurized fluids in which mechanism controls the position of inclined supports and provides means to release the inclined supports to discharge the fluids.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a split bushing mechanism for releasing the contents of a pressurized fluid container;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another fonn of split bushing mechanism for the same general purpose; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a more complete arrangement for releasing the contents of a container filled with fluid under pressure. p

FIG. I of the drawing schematically represents a containerCT which may be completely or partially filled with a fluid whether gaseous or liquid. The opening or neck of the containerCT is fitted with a valve plug VP which is sealed against theinrier wall of the opening by means of an O-ring OR. The valve plug VP is supported by two supports SP1 and SP2, which may be shaped as shown in the drawing, each of the supports being mounted on a base or floor FR. The lower ends of the supports SP1 and SPZ may be normally bound together by, for example, aring RG or other form of retainer so i that, when the ring is in position, the supports SP1 and SP2 will hold the valve plug VP within the opening of the container CT, thereby preventing the pressurized fluid from being discharged from the container.

In the absence of the slanted supports SP1 and SP2, the plug VP would be easily separated from the neck of the container CT,'especially if the container were filled with fluid under super-atmospheric pressure. However, the presence of the supports SP1 and SP2, the ends of which may be bound to each other'by ring RG, supply the upwardly directed forces to hold the plug VP within the container CT against the downwardly directed force of the enclosed fluid. However, by lifting the ring RG so as to separate it from the ends of supports SP1 and SP2, the supports SP1 and SP2 will be slid in the direction of the arrows S1 and S2 along the base or floor FR. Consequently, the plug VP will be removed from the container CT and the fluid discharged therefrom very promptly.

Theforce required to elevate the ring RG sufflciently to release the supports SP1 and SP2 is relatively small with respect to the total force exerted by the plug VP, thereby introducing a mechanicaladvantage overother known means for opening the container CT when filled with a fluid under a super-atmospheric pressure used. for example, as a principal component of a fire extinguisher.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a modified arrangement in which the inclined supportsof FIG. 1 are replaced by a form of two-member split bushing SB having legs LGl and LG2, both of which may be L-shaped and held by a ring R0 or other retainer. The legs LG] and LG2 essentially are vertically positioned as shown, rather than inclined, the bases of the legs LG I and LG2 being positioned on a stand SD which has inclined or conical surfaces. In this arrangement, the removal of the retaining ring RG will allow the legsLGland LG2 of the split bushing SB to slide downwardly along the inclined surfaces of the stand SD, thereby removing "the holding force of the split bushing SB which maintains the plug VP within the throat of the container CT and hence displacing plug VP and allowing the pressurized fluid to be rapidly discharged.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another modification in which the plug VP is held in place by a split bushing SB having two vertical segments LGl andLGZ having a V-shaped gap GP therebetween at the location shown, the lower ends of which are readily slidable along the horizontal base or floor FR. An external mechanical force would be required to displace the legs LG] and LG2 to remove the plug VP so as to release the confined fluid. Such an external mechanical force may be supplied by means of any movable element, such as a rod or lever (not shown), which may be iniserted or pried into the gap GP. The insertion of the .rod or lever through gap GP will displace and remove legs LG! and LG2 to release the fluid from container CT. However, there would be no mechanical advantage in the use of the FIG. 3 arrangement. i

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the container CT, for example, may contain a ar extinguishing fluid whether gaseous or liquid which may preferably be highly pressurized within container CT by a gas such, for example, as nitrogen. The container CT is expected to remain filled, or substantially filled, with the pressur ized fire extinguishingfluid for prompt or immediate use whenever desired. The container CT is. shown sealed against an inlet valve IV of a control mechanism CM and the seal may be accomplished in "any well i known manner, as by the use of correspondingly tapered openings at the input or upper opening of inlet valve IV or by appropriate sealing tape or both. The inlet valve IV is held within an inlet body IB of the control mechanism CM by means of appropriate threading THI. The inlet valve IV is fluidically sealed to the inlet ally indicating the pressure of the fluid retained within the container CT and within the inlet body IB.

The inlet body IB is also provided with a displacable valve plug VP. The valve plug VP, when in its normal position, as shown, employs an O-ring R2 to seal the fluid within the inlet body IB against discharge.

The control mechanism CM also includes an outlet body OB which has a discharge valve DV for discharging the fluid contents of container CT and of the inlet body IB when-ever desired. The valve plug VP is located between the inlet body 18 and the outlet body OB and, because the valve plug VP is normally sealed against the inlet body [B by its O-ring 0R2, fluid cannot be transmitted through the outlet body OB and its discharge valve DV.

The outlet body OB may also house a solenoid valve SLN which may be supplied with current over wires WI and W2 whenever the solenoud valve SLN is to be energized and operated. The solenoid valve SLN includes a plunger PG, the upper end of which is designated PGl. The plunger PG is annularly grooved so as to hold a retaining ring RTG. The solenoid valve SLN is fixedly held in the' outlet body OB by means of threaded bolts BTl and BT2 so that the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve SLN will be maintained immovable at all'times. The outlet body OB also has an internal cylindrical housing CH and a cap CP both of which are affixed to each other as shown and are held and maintained in a continuous fixed relationship. The cap CP has a central opening providing adequate space for a vertically arranged actuation rod AR. The lower end of the actuation rod AR is normally spaced from the upper end of the plunger RG1. The actuation rod AR'is preferably made of hard, durable material, such as metal or plastic, and it is mechanically affixed and continuously connected to a horizontally positioned support ring SR. The support ring SR may be welded or otherwise affixed to the actuation rod AR so that the ring SR and rod AR will always move in unison whenever the solenoid SLN is energized, as will be ex- I plained. The ring SR is positioned at the base of an inverted cylindrical support bushing SB, which is sometimes called a split bushing," and may be made of two (or more) similar segments which are normally held together. The two segments at the base or Tee of the bushing SB are held together by the support ring SR which is affixed to the actuation rod AR at point PT. For ease in handling, the support ring SR may be epoxied to split bushing SB in a manner facilitating easy separation.

When the apparatus is in its normal or stable condition, the two-segment support bushing SB will be in its vertical position as shown, and the support bushing SB will be held between the valve plug VP and the cap CP. A helical compression spring SP is mounted within the housing CH between the underside of cap CP and the upper side of the retaining ring RG and it exerts down ward pressure against the retaining ring RTG to hold the piston P61 in its lowermost position and normally spaced from the actuation rod AR.

Under normal conditions, that is, when the solenoid SLN is not energized, the helical spring SP will hole the plunger P01 in its lowermost position, as already noted, so as to be spaced from the actuation rod AR, as shown in FIG. 4. However, when the solenoid SLN is energized by the supply of sufficient current over conductors W1, W2, plunger PGl will be rapidly thrust upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 4. When this happens, the plunger PGl will travel at relatively high speed so as to make contact with and and advance the vertical actuation rod AR upwardly. The rod AR, which is affixed to support ring SR, will lift the ring SR off the base of the two-segment support bushing SB. The two segments of the bushing will be released and collapsed and their power to uphold the valve plug VP will be removed. In the absence of the support bushing SB, the valve plug VP will be under the influence of the super-atmospheric pressure of the fluid within container CT and the inlet body IB, and plug PG will be promptly displaced from the inlet body IB. The container CT will release its fluid through the cylindrical screen CS and through the discharge valve DV into the arena to be supplied with the fire-extinguishing fluid.

The support bushing SB may be made of aluminum or any other metal, preferably a light weight metal, or of a suitable non-metallic material, and it must be strong enough to be able to withstand the superatmospheric pressure of the fluid within container CT. The bushing SB should also preferably be teflontreated to reduce friction.

The outlet body OB, as already noted, includes the cylindrical screen CS and it is preferably made of metal. This screen is employed primarily for allowing the fire-extinguishing fluid to pass freely from the container CT through the cavity of the inlet body IB and then through the discharge valve DV of the outlet body OB, without allowing the segments of the support bushing SB, or the support ring SR, or the actuation rod AR, to be moved into the discharge valve opening DV. In other words, the screen CS will allow the fluid to pass freely therethrough but will not allow any of the metallic or solid parts to be discharged through the outlet valve DV.

The mechanism of FIG. 4 may be located in a vehicle, such as an automobile, or in an aircraft, or in an army tank, or in the fuel tank of a vehicle, or in any place where a fire may occur or where fire protection is desired. The discharge valve DV may discharge the fluid into the vehicle or tank or other arena where protection may be required.

The mechanism of FIG. 4 is normally inert. Although some of the fluid of the container CT has been allowed to enter the inlet body IB, the fluid is normally blocked at the inlet body 18 by the valve plug VP. Moreover, the fill valve FV is sealed against leakage by O-ring 0R3. The gauge PR will continually indicate the fluid. pressure at the inlet body IB. If a higher fluid pressure is desired, this may be achieved by inserting, via fill valve FV, an additional quantity of the tire extinguishing fluid, which may be freon 1301 or any other fire extinguishing fluid, or by supplying a pressurizing gas, such as nitrogen or both, through the fill valve FV.

When it is desired to operate the mechanism shown in FIG. 4 to discharge fluid through valve DV, current is supplied over the wires W1 and W2 from an appropriate source of voltage under control of a switch (not shown) which may be located at or near the solenoid valve SLN or at a remote point which may be, for ex-- ample, the cabin of an aircraft. The solenoid SLN will be actuated, causing its plunger P0! to move upwardly to overcome the pressure of spring SP and immediately contact and drive the actuation rod AR. The rod AR will immediately disengage the support ring SP from the two segments of the support bushing SB, whereupon the bushing SB will be collapsed and its members will slide, for example, over the surface of cap CP. When this happens, the retaining and holding force previously supplied through the support bushing SB to the valve plug VP will be eliminated, whereupon the valve plug VP will be quickly displaced and removed from the inputbody 18. Hence, the fire extinguishing fluid will discharge rather freely and rapidly through the cylindrical screen CS and out through the discharge valve DV. If the control mechanism CM is located in a vehicle, such as an automobile, the fluid will enter the automobile to extinguish any incipient fire therein. As an alternative, the discharge valve DV may be connected to a rubber bag or other receiver RR so that the bag or receiver may be pressurized and inflated by the fire extinguishing fluid to allow the bag to serve as a protective cushion. If the bag or other receiver is frangible or otherwise breakable at a predetermined fluid pressure, the fluid will be released from the bag or receiver as soon as the assigned pressure has been reached to allow the contents of the bag or receiver to extinguish any tire.

The fill valve FV may be employed to funnel the fluid to be inserted into the container CT via the inlet body "3. The fluid pressure may be elevated to a fairly high magnitude, perhaps between 600 and 2700 psi. The gauge PR serves as an indicator for observing changes in the applied fluid pressure at all times. The flll valve FV includes checking mechanism CKV in the form of a hollow housing which may be filled with fusable alloy, such as cerrobend. Such a material starts to melt as the temperature rises to about 205 to 220F. Thetemperature of the cerro material will change to correspond to the magnitude of the appliedpressure. When the pressure rises beyond an assigned valve, the temperature of the cerro material will correspondingly rise and, hence, undergo a change in shape to provide an opening in the fill valve FV. The cerro material may be melted sufficiently or ruptured at a predetermined pressure, which may be the safety pressure for the mechanism to rapidly discharge the fluid. Hence, the fill valve and its cerro material serve as a check mechanism but will otheiwise normally remain insert as the pressure of the fluid is below a predetermined value. When the pressure again exceeds the predetermined value, the cerro material may again provide an avenue for the release of fluid until the pressure has dropped below the assigned value.

It will be observed that a cover CV is provided at the lower end of the outlet body 08. The cover CV is retained by extensions X1, X2 which may be in the form of pins entering into appropriate openings in the outlet body 08. The cover CV, therefore, serves to exclude dust, dirt and other superfluous material from entry into openings of the outlet body 0B.The cover CV also has a sized opening through which the wires W1 and W2 may be passed.

After the split bushing SB has been collapsed, the fluid of container CT is released and discharged. Tl-le major components may be easily returned to their nor mal positions. Only split bushing SB and ring SR need be replaced so that container CT may again be filled with super-pressurized fluid as before.

As will be apparent, the plunger PGl may be controlled by the electromagnetic coil of solenoid SLN, or the plunger PG] may be controlled by a suitable rod or lever. Both controls may be provided. When both controls are provided, the rod or lever may be used whenever desired to release the fluid and this is especially desirable when there is a loss of electric power...

While this invention has been shown and described in certain particular arrangements merely for illustration and explanation, it will be apparent that the structure of this invention may be embodied in other and widely varied organizations within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Mechanism for discharging fluid retained under pressure within a container, comprising a valve the input opening of which is coupled to the mouth of the container, a removable plug within the input opening of said valve and effectively sealing the mouth of the container, a solenoid structure within the housing of said valve, a multi-element support, means for holding said support under pressure by the plug, and means for operating the solenoid so as to displace the holding means, whereupon the fluid pressure will collapse the support and release the plug to enable the fluid to be discharged from the container.

2. Mechanism according to claim 1 in which the holding means includes a ring for holding the elements of the support adjacent to each other.

3. Apparatus for sealing the container of a pressurized fire extinguisher, comprising a removable plug coupled to the mouth of the container for sealingly holding the fluid under pressure within the container, a holding structure for holding the plug in position to maintain the container sealed, the holding structure including a plurality of elements and a retainer for latch ing the elements to each other, a rod affixed to the retainer, and means for translating the rod including a solenoid valve having a plunger to unlatch the retainer from the elements of the supporting structure so as to divert said elements, whereupon the plug will be .displaced in response to the fluid pressure within the container.

4. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 3 further including a bushing having a plurality of collapsible elements latched together by a retainer.

5. Apparatus for discharging pressurized fluid from a container, the opening of which is sealed by a removable plug, comprising a multi-element structure sup porting said plug, a link connecting the elements of the structure, means for applying continuous pressure against the support so 'as to sealingly hold said plug within the container, and means for releasing the link from the elements of said structure further including a solenoid valve which, when operated, will displace the linkfrom the elements of the'support so that the support structure may be collapsed, whereupon the fluid pressure will displace said plug from the container opening to enable the fluid therein to be discharged.

6. Apparatus for retaining pressurized fluid within a container according to claim 5 in which the retainer is affixed to a rod located adjacent the plunger of the solenoid valve to that the operation of the solenoid valve will move its plunger against the rod.

7. Apparatus comprising a su per-atmospherically pressurized fluid container, a valve having an input port coupled to the mouth of the container and an output port through which the fluid of the container may be discharged, a housing separating the input port from the output port, a plug seated in the input port for sealingly holding the fluid within the container, said housing enclosing a plunger, a collapsible bushing held against the plug, and means for advancing the plunger for collapsing the bushing to enable the pressurized fluid to unseat the plug, so that the pressurized fluid may be discharged through the output port.

8. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 7, in which the unlatching means comprises a solenoid for advancing the plunger when the solenoid is operated.

9. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 7, including a gauge sealed into the input port of the valve to observe the fluid pressure.

10. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a fire extinguisher having a container filled with pressurized fluid, comprising a valve having an inlet port coupled to the opening of said container; a removable plug positioned in the inlet port of the valve for sealingly holding the fluid within the container under pressure; a retainer; a collapsible member including a plurality of elements latched together by the retainer; means for retaining the plug sealingly within the inlet port of the valve; means for displacing the retainer including a solenoid valve having a plunger coupled to the retainer so as to unlatch the retainer when the solenoid valve is operated; and means for collapsing the collapsible member so that the plug may be displaced from the inlet port in response to the pressure of the fluid within the container, thereby to release the fluid from the container.

11. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 2, including remotely located equipment to initiate the operation of the plunger.

12. Apparatus for confining pressurizied fluid within a container, comprising a plug effectively positioned within the mouth of the container, a collapsible multielement support structure including a retainer for holding the elements of said structure together, said multielement support structure being held under pressure by the plug to maintain the container sealed, and means for displacing the retainer including a solenoid valve having a plunger for displacing the retainer so as to collapse the support structure, whereupon the pressure within the container will drive the plug away from the mouth of the container to enable the contents of the container to be discharged.

13. Apparatus for sealing a pressurized fluid container comprising a removable plug coupled to the mouth of the container for sealingly holding the fluid under pressure within the container; a housing member having inlet and outlet ports; a holding structure in the housing member for holding the plug in position to maintain the container sealed, the holding structure including a bushing having a plurality of elements and a retainer for latching the elements to each other; a rod affixed to the retainer; means for translating the rod to unlatch the retainer from the elements of the supporting structure so as to divert said elements, whereupon the plug will be displaced in response to the fluid pressure within the container, and a screen in the housing member to permit only the fluid to pass through the exit port of the housing member.

14. Apparatus for discharging pressurized fluid from a container having an opening sealed by a removable plug comprising a link member; at least a pair of support members, each support member having one of their ends positioned against and capable of maintaining a supporting force against the plug only when the link member is laterally connected to the support members and maintains the support members in a stationary stable support position; and force means for moving the link member along the axial direction of the support members for disengaging the lateral support of the link member on the support members with a disengagement force less than the supporting force whereby the fluid pressure of the container will displace the plug from the container opening to enable the fluid therein to be discharged.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14, the link member surrounding the support members and the force means further including a pin member connected to the link member and adapted to receive an impact of force in the axial direction of the support members to disengage the link from the support members.

16. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including a housing'member connected to the container and having an inlet and an outlet port and a screen in the housing member to permit only the fluid to exit from the outlet port.

17. Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the support members are coated with a friction reducing material. i i t i "mm s'ilTEs PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE {OF (CORRECTION Potent No. 3,750,755 Dated August "7, 1973 jlnventofls) Jack Kramer, Abdul N, Sita'bkhan and Carlo Pavone 1 n It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 18, "solenoud" shonld he "solenoid".

line 33, "RG1" should be "PGl" line 62 "hole" should be "hold".

Column 4, lines 53 ancl 54, "which may be freon 1301 or any other fire extinguishing fluid" should be deleted. line 66, "SP" should be "SR". I

Colurnn 5 line 50, "013" should be "OB" Column 6, line 59, "to" should be "so".

The correct spelling of the second inventor 's last name is "Sitabk'han.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: v

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. 0. Mom DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 U.5. GDVERNHENT PRINTING QFFICE 1 l9. D3-33 

1. Mechanism for discharging fluid retained under pressure within a container, comprising a valve the input opening of which is coupled to the mouth of the container, a removable plug within the input opening of said valve and effectively sealing the mouth of the container, a solenoid structure within the housing of said valve, a multi-element support, means for holding said support under pressure by the pluG, and means for operating the solenoid so as to displace the holding means, whereupon the fluid pressure will collapse the support and release the plug to enable the fluid to be discharged from the container.
 2. Mechanism according to claim 1 in which the holding means includes a ring for holding the elements of the support adjacent to each other.
 3. Apparatus for sealing the container of a pressurized fire extinguisher, comprising a removable plug coupled to the mouth of the container for sealingly holding the fluid under pressure within the container, a holding structure for holding the plug in position to maintain the container sealed, the holding structure including a plurality of elements and a retainer for latching the elements to each other, a rod affixed to the retainer, and means for translating the rod including a solenoid valve having a plunger to unlatch the retainer from the elements of the supporting structure so as to divert said elements, whereupon the plug will be displaced in response to the fluid pressure within the container.
 4. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 3 further including a bushing having a plurality of collapsible elements latched together by a retainer.
 5. Apparatus for discharging pressurized fluid from a container, the opening of which is sealed by a removable plug, comprising a multi-element structure supporting said plug, a link connecting the elements of the structure, means for applying continuous pressure against the support so as to sealingly hold said plug within the container, and means for releasing the link from the elements of said structure further including a solenoid valve which, when operated, will displace the link from the elements of the support so that the support structure may be collapsed, whereupon the fluid pressure will displace said plug from the container opening to enable the fluid therein to be discharged.
 6. Apparatus for retaining pressurized fluid within a container according to claim 5 in which the retainer is affixed to a rod located adjacent the plunger of the solenoid valve so that the operation of the solenoid valve will move its plunger against the rod.
 7. Apparatus comprising a super-atmospherically pressurized fluid container, a valve having an input port coupled to the mouth of the container and an output port through which the fluid of the container may be discharged, a housing separating the input port from the output port, a plug seated in the input port for sealingly holding the fluid within the container, said housing enclosing a plunger, a collapsible bushing held against the plug, and means for advancing the plunger for collapsing the bushing to enable the pressurized fluid to unseat the plug, so that the pressurized fluid may be discharged through the output port.
 8. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 7, in which the unlatching means comprises a solenoid for advancing the plunger when the solenoid is operated.
 9. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 7, including a gauge sealed into the input port of the valve to observe the fluid pressure.
 10. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a fire extinguisher having a container filled with pressurized fluid, comprising a valve having an inlet port coupled to the opening of said container; a removable plug positioned in the inlet port of the valve for sealingly holding the fluid within the container under pressure; a retainer; a collapsible member including a plurality of elements latched together by the retainer; means for retaining the plug sealingly within the inlet port of the valve; means for displacing the retainer including a solenoid valve having a plunger coupled to the retainer so as to unlatch the retainer when the solenoid valve is operated; and means for collapsing the collapsible member so that the plug may be displaced from the inlet port in response to the pressure of the fluid within the container, thereby to release the fluid from the container.
 11. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 2, including remotely located equipment to initiate the operation of the plunger.
 12. Apparatus for confining pressurizied fluid within a container, comprising a plug effectively positioned within the mouth of the container, a collapsible multi-element support structure including a retainer for holding the elements of said structure together, said multi-element support structure being held under pressure by the plug to maintain the container sealed, and means for displacing the retainer including a solenoid valve having a plunger for displacing the retainer so as to collapse the support structure, whereupon the pressure within the container will drive the plug away from the mouth of the container to enable the contents of the container to be discharged.
 13. Apparatus for sealing a pressurized fluid container comprising a removable plug coupled to the mouth of the container for sealingly holding the fluid under pressure within the container; a housing member having inlet and outlet ports; a holding structure in the housing member for holding the plug in position to maintain the container sealed, the holding structure including a bushing having a plurality of elements and a retainer for latching the elements to each other; a rod affixed to the retainer; means for translating the rod to unlatch the retainer from the elements of the supporting structure so as to divert said elements, whereupon the plug will be displaced in response to the fluid pressure within the container, and a screen in the housing member to permit only the fluid to pass through the exit port of the housing member.
 14. Apparatus for discharging pressurized fluid from a container having an opening sealed by a removable plug comprising a link member; at least a pair of support members, each support member having one of their ends positioned against and capable of maintaining a supporting force against the plug only when the link member is laterally connected to the support members and maintains the support members in a stationary stable support position; and force means for moving the link member along the axial direction of the support members for disengaging the lateral support of the link member on the support members with a disengagement force less than the supporting force whereby the fluid pressure of the container will displace the plug from the container opening to enable the fluid therein to be discharged.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 14, the link member surrounding the support members and the force means further including a pin member connected to the link member and adapted to receive an impact of force in the axial direction of the support members to disengage the link from the support members.
 16. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including a housing member connected to the container and having an inlet and an outlet port and a screen in the housing member to permit only the fluid to exit from the outlet port.
 17. Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the support members are coated with a friction reducing material. 